PAW Checkpoints

PAW helps with making Word documents - and the generated PDF documents - compliant with the following accessibility and usability checkpoints.

Section 508 - 1194.22 Web-based Intranet and Internet Information and Applications

The Section 508 checkpoints are consistent with the W3C Guidelines and provide achievable, well documented guidelines for implementation. The description of the checkpoints is provided in Access Board - Web-based Intranet and Internet Information and Applications (1194.22)

• (a) Text Tags

  A text equivalent for every non-text element shall be provided (e.g., via "alt", "longdesc", or in element content). More information on the Text Tags checkpoint.

• (b) Multimedia Presentations

  Equivalent alternatives for any multimedia presentation shall be synchronized with the presentation. PAW checks for the presence of multimedia presentations and, if any are found, alerts the user to verify that they are synchronized with the presentation. It should be noted that PAW does not copy any multimedia objects to the generated PDF

• (c) Color

  Web pages shall be designed so that all information conveyed with color is also available without color, for example from context or markup. More information on the Color checkpoint.

• (d) Readability

  Documents shall be organized so they are readable without requiring an associated style sheet. PAW automatically creates PDF documents that are properly tagged and ordered

• (e) Server-side image map

  Redundant text links shall be provided for each active region of a server-side image map. This checkpoint is not applicable to MS Word documents

• (f) Client-side image map

  Client-side image maps shall be provided instead of server-side image maps except where the regions cannot be defined with an available geometric shape. This checkpoint is not applicable to MS Word documents.

• (g & h) Data Tables

  Row and column headers shall be identified for data tables. More information on the Data Table checkpoint.

• (i) Frames

  Frames shall be titled with text that facilitates frame identification and navigation. This checkpoint is not applicable to MS Word documents.

• (j) Flicker Rate

  Pages shall be designed to avoid causing the screen to flicker with a frequency greater than 2 Hz and lower than 55 Hz. PAW alerts the user to the presence of any elements that could cause flickering such as animated GIFs or scripts

• (k) A text-only page

  A text-only page, with equivalent information or functionality, shall be provided to make a web site comply with the provisions of this part, when compliance cannot be accomplished in any other way. The content of the text-only page shall be updated whenever the primary page changes. This checkpoint is not applicable to MS Word documents.

• (l) Scripts

  When pages utilize scripting languages to display content, or to create interface elements, the information provided by the script shall be identified with functional text that can be read by assistive technology. PAW alerts the user to the presence of scripts and, if any are found, it informs the user that such scripts will not be converted to PDF.

• (m) Applets and Plug-ins

  When a web page requires that an applet, plug-in or other application be present on the client system to interpret page content, the page must provide a link to a plug-in or applet that complies with §1194.21(a) through (l). This checkpoint is not applicable to MS Word documents.

• (n) Electronic Forms

  When electronic forms are designed to be completed on-line, the form shall allow people using assistive technology to access the information, field elements, and functionality required for completion and submission of the form, including all directions and cues. More information on the Electronic Forms checkpoint.

• (o) Navigation Links

  A method shall be provided that permits users to skip repetitive navigation links. PAW checks for repetitive navigation links. If two or more links in the document point to the same location, PAW will warn the user.

• (p) Timed Response

  When a timed response is required, the user shall be alerted and given sufficient time to indicate more time is required. This checkpoint is not applicable to MS Word documents.

Additional Checkpoints

In addition to Section 508 checkpoints, PAW checks for the following Checkpoints:

• Styles

  Check for the correct use of styles in the Word document. More information on the Styles checkpoint.

• Style Mapping

  Verify that Word Styles are mapped correctly to PDF tags. More information on the Text - Style Mapping.

• Heading Nesting Level

  Programmatically verify that headings are properly nested. More information on the Text - Heading Nesting Level checkpoint.

• Overlapping Objects

  Check for overlapping objects that may hide text in the Word document. More information on the Overlapping Objects checkpoint.

• Lists

  Verify that lists have been structured correctly in the Word document. More information on the Lists checkpoint.

• Font Substitution

  Identify any document fonts which are missing from the system and ensure they are substituted with appropriate fonts prior to the creation of the PDF document. More information on the Font Substitution checkpoint.